[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-starting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha":3,"chapter-starting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-starting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-chapter-15":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Starting Off with Horse and Sword in Konoha",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2349066,4591,"Chapter 15: Chapter Fifteen: The Team Leader!","starting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-chapter-15",15,"\u003Cp>Creak!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the gate opened, Fujinaka Genma stepped out wearing a Hidden Leaf ninja headband, and the students gathered outside burst into cheers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hidden Leaf ninja headband held a unique allure for them!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at these youthful faces, Fujinaka Genma had to admit that Hiruzen Sarutobi’s political education was spot-on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s your turn now!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma turned to Hyuga Mio and Ebisu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, both of them had applied for graduation evaluation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They exchanged glances; Ebisu adjusted his glasses and stepped forward first: “I’ll go first!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What followed was entirely predictable—Hyuga Mio and Ebisu both passed their evaluations successfully and received their ninja headbands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the crowd, Uchiha Shinichi clenched his lips and decided he would apply for early graduation the next day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He absolutely could not fall behind!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afternoon, training ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kushina Uzumaki smiled warmly at Fujinaka Genma and the other two, producing three gifts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now that Itachi’re official ninja, Itachi’ll become individuals who can stand on your own.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These are gifts from your teacher—take them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank Itachi, Sensei Kushina!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma and the other two immediately accepted the gifts obediently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they refused, they might end up with a lump on their heads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each of the three received a different gift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma received a short sword (sword and blade are inseparable), Hyuga Mio received a pair of wrist guards, and Ebisu received a kunai.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All were highly practical items.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Itachi may begin missions tomorrow, so no training today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s go eat something!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How about Ichiraku Ramen?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kushina Uzumaki suggested with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma and the other two had no objections.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an uneventful day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The most relaxed day Fujinaka Genma had experienced since arriving in this world over two years ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma returned to the Ninja Academy and, as expected, found Hyuga Mio and Ebisu in Teacher Benshan Yusuke’s office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, the three of them had been assigned to the same class.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the calm Ebisu and the excited Hyuga Mio, Fujinaka Genma felt a quiet pang: “Though the wheel of fate has begun rolling forward, unstoppable, it has slightly veered off course because of my presence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He remembered that in the original timeline, he had been placed in the same class as Ebisu and Might Guy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait a moment—your team leader will arrive shortly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the class bell rang, Benshan Yusuke bid them farewell and left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Genma, what kind of mission do Itachi think we’ll get next?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Straight into combat? I heard the situation’s been tense lately.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ebisu spoke, a hint of tension beneath his sunglasses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though ninja society generally matures early, they were still only ten years old.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hyuga Mio, by contrast, seemed relaxed and chuckled: “Ebisu, don’t overthink it. The situation’s tense, sure—but only a little. We’re not being sent on dangerous missions yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the advantage of coming from a noble family—even a branch house—Hyuga Mio had access to far more information than Fujinaka Genma or Ebisu, both commoners.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma still warned: “Mio’s right, but Itachi still need to be careful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Missions can go wrong in countless ways. Even a D-rank mission might escalate to A-rank—or even S-rank—due to unforeseen changes. Don’t be careless!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his view, ninja were mercenaries—performing missions was dancing on the edge of a blade; no amount of caution was excessive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hyuga Mio nodded seriously at once, pointing to his eyes: “I’ll see every danger with these eyes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, footsteps approached outside, and the office door was pushed open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma and the others turned to see a man with a full beard, wearing an ANBU vest and a blue ninja cap, step inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man stood at the doorway, scanned the three of them, then spoke with perfect seriousness: “Hello. I am your team leader, Minamimura Yajuro.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma and the others immediately saluted and introduced themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minamimura Yajuro seemed a stern man; he merely nodded and said: “I already know your profiles. Meet at the village gate at one PM. Your mission: second-tier patrol unit along the western border.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This mission may last a long time. Prepare thoroughly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Sensei Yajuro!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hyuga Mio and Ebisu immediately snapped to attention and nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma, however, froze as a sudden Mount & Blade system alert echoed in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is something wrong, Genma?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minamimura Yajuro noticed Fujinaka Genma’s distraction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma snapped back to attention and replied solemnly: “No, Sensei Yajuro!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minamimura Yajuro nodded and added: “There’s still time before afternoon. Let me treat Itachi to some grilled meat.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huh??\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All three of them stared blankly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Didn’t they just eat breakfast?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This team leader seemed… odd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three exchanged glances, came to the same conclusion, and nodded in agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Fujinaka Genma hesitated, as if about to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted to say “AA,” but feared offending Minamimura Yajuro.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the man looked stern and seemed difficult to approach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, the four of them left the academy together and arrived at a nearly empty grilled meat restaurant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their first day as ninja began strangely—with a grilled meat meal, no self-introductions about “likes,” “dislikes,” or “dreams.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No bell-ringing survival training either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just because they’d eaten breakfast recently didn’t mean they couldn’t eat again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An hour later, watching his empty wallet, Minamimura Yajuro’s lips twitched slightly: “Are all new recruits this weird?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Three brats just ate sixty thousand ryo from me…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minamimura Yajuro tucked away his wallet, expression unchanged, but sweat had soaked his back: “Thank goodness I brought enough money—otherwise I’d have lost face on day one in front of my new team.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He silently sighed in relief and stepped out of the restaurant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Remember the afternoon meeting time and what Itachi need to prepare.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Itachi can collect some explosive tags from logistics.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Also, Genma—Itachi know sealing techniques. Collect some sealing tags. Itachi might need them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minamimura Yajuro gave further detailed instructions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d already mentioned all this while they were eating grilled meat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Sensei Yajuro—we’ll prepare thoroughly!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma and the other two nodded seriously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good. Then see Itachi this afternoon!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, Minamimura Yajuro turned and vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma and the others remained standing where they were. Ebisu adjusted his glasses: “I thought Sensei Yajuro would be hard to get along with. Turns out… but, don’t Itachi two think we ate a bit too much just now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma glanced at him; Hyuga Mio snorted: “Ebisu, Itachi didn’t eat any less than the rest of us!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go home and prepare!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Preoccupied with the system’s changes, Fujinaka Genma had no appetite for teasing.\u003C\u002Fp>",1087,"2026-06-21T02:29:34.312Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","3757858485c6a066d2fac2b7e42a7cd5fd282988dc350829c73a1b665c737310","starting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-chapter-16","starting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-chapter-14",157,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstarting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-cover.jpg"]